Strategic Sourcing Manager - Contract Manufacturing & Compute

Waymo's Supply Chain and Manufacturing teams are making the technology of the future a reality. We handle all production processes and supplier development strategies: from contracts and purchasing, to designs for improved manufacturing, through quality control and delivery. We collaborate actively with Waymo engineering teams as well as external suppliers and partners to make sure everything is built to spec and delivered on time to meet the rising demands of our business.

You will:

• Develop CM & Compute Sourcing Strategy: Design and execute multi-year sourcing strategies for Tier 1 Contract Manufacturers (JDM/Hybrid/ODM) supporting complex compute hardware, custom server platforms, high-speed interconnects/connectors, and select off-the-shelf (OTS) silicon in Mixed Signal / Analog spaces.
• Lead Complex Commercial Negotiations: Drive all commercial aspects of CM engagements, including MVA, SMT/FATP line rates, labor, cycle/lead times, test and assembly costs, tooling/test capex amortization, and yield/scrap sharing models.
• Drive Commercial & Strategic Contracts: Partner closely with Legal to draft, negotiate, and execute key manufacturing and supply agreements (MSAs, MPAs, HSAs, SOWs, SLAs, LTAs), securing favorable commercial, operational, and strategic terms for Waymo.
• Own Integrated Sub-Tier Commodities: Lead commercial relationships, master pricing, and supply assurance for key compute commodities, with emphasis on connectors and off-the-shelf active silicon, eliminating margin stacking across the Tier 1 supply chain.
• Drive Cost Modeling & Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Build open-book, bottoms-up should-cost models for PCBA and box-build assemblies. Lead continuous cost-reduction programs and annual productivity workflows..
• Partner Cross-Functionally with Engineering & AME: Act as the single commercial focal point between Compute Hardware Engineering, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (AME), Quality/SDE, and Material Planning to guide overall Compute module strategic direction, DFM/DFT decisions, factory footprint selection, and NPI build execution.

You have:

• 10+ years of strategic sourcing, global supply management (GSM), or commodity management experience with Tier 1 Contract Manufacturers and complex compute/electronic systems.
• Deep expertise in manufacturing cost dissection (SMT/FATP line costing, cost per placement, assembly touch-times, test overhead, tooling amortization, and yield curves).
• Demonstrated track record negotiating and executing Master Manufacturing Agreements (MMAs/MSAs), SOWs, and complex liability/warranty terms.
• Hands-on sourcing experience with electronic sub-tier commodities (connectors, cabling, passives, or OTS silicon).
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, or equivalent practical experience.
• Exceptional commercial negotiation, executive presentation, and spreadsheet financial modeling skills

We prefer:

• Prior work experience as a CM/Compute GSM at leading hardware/OEM firms (e.g., Apple, Google, Meta, Tesla, Amazon/Zoox, NVIDIA, Cisco) or senior commercial roles at Tier 1 EMS/ODMs (e.g., Foxconn, Quanta, Flex, Jabil, Celestica).
• Deep technical understanding of high-speed digital compute architectures, server PCBA manufacturing, and automotive reliability standards (IATF 16949, AEC-Q100).
• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering (MSEE) and/or MBA.
• Direct experience managing CM manufacturing sites and executive supplier engagements across North America, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia.

Travel Requirements:

• 20% domestic and international travel.